Best FCPS Middle and Hugh Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Marshall and Madison are two different types of high schools. It's like comparing Lake Braddock to Robinson. One is a highly regarded IB high school, is more culturally and economically diverse, and has an academy program with some specialized classes. The other is a highly regarded AP school, is not extremely culturally or economically diverse, and is more into sports and school spirit.

FYI, Lake Braddock is WAY more diverse than Robinson, both culturally and economically.

Robinson is almost 60% white, 12% free and reduced lunch, and over 97% English proficient.

Lake Braddock is less than 48% white, over 17% free and reduced lunch, and around 94% English proficient.

Okay, but what about Kilmer in terms of academics? I see that it’s an AAP center (if that even means anything more) — is there a way to find out where Marshall / Madison grads go for college ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Marshall and Madison are two different types of high schools. It's like comparing Lake Braddock to Robinson. One is a highly regarded IB high school, is more culturally and economically diverse, and has an academy program with some specialized classes. The other is a highly regarded AP school, is not extremely culturally or economically diverse, and is more into sports and school spirit.

FYI, Lake Braddock is WAY more diverse than Robinson, both culturally and economically.

Robinson is almost 60% white, 12% free and reduced lunch, and over 97% English proficient.

Lake Braddock is less than 48% white, over 17% free and reduced lunch, and around 94% English proficient.

Fortunately, Lake Braddock has AP and wasn’t forced to convert to IB.

[Anonymous]

So the concern with Kilmer is mainly the instruction? Peer groups? I’m still failing to see how Kilmer is substandard to Thoreau.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the concern with Kilmer is mainly the instruction? Peer groups? I’m still failing to see how Kilmer is substandard to Thoreau.

Paul Farmer was the last decent principal at Kilmer. He left around 2005. The current and former principal at Thoreau (now at Madison) are strong administrators. It’s the quality of leadership, and the messages sent to teachers, that make the difference in good schools like Cooper, Longfellow, and Thoreau, and mediocre schools like Kilmer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the concern with Kilmer is mainly the instruction? Peer groups? I’m still failing to see how Kilmer is substandard to Thoreau.

The instruction at Kilmer is fine and they even have some textbooks which is a pleasant surprise for us coming from an elementary that didn't have them. It may not be as good as Longfellow and I'd have to guess Longfellow is more challenging with its many TJ acceptances, but Longfellow is probably the most highly rated middle school in the county and its the parents that drive that school more than the administration. Carson is too large and is almost too competitive and all the rest of the middle schools send less kids to TJ than these two. Peer groups are fine. No recurring behavior incidents and academic afterschool classes can't even handle all the kids that want to join. I haven't heard of drug issues like I have regularly at Thoreau. Teachers stay after to teach many clubs and even help start clubs with students based on their interest. They have pick up sports just about every day and additional electives during some days of study hall time. No issue receiving communication from the teachers on grades or from the school or PTA on a recurring basis. It may not be the best in the county, and perhaps the administration could be a little more visible and active, but I don't see it as a problem school at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the concern with Kilmer is mainly the instruction? Peer groups? I’m still failing to see how Kilmer is substandard to Thoreau.

Paul Farmer was the last decent principal at Kilmer. He left around 2005. The current and former principal at Thoreau (now at Madison) are strong administrators. It’s the quality of leadership, and the messages sent to teachers, that make the difference in good schools like Cooper, Longfellow, and Thoreau, and mediocre schools like Kilmer.

Spot on. The Kilmer administration has built a culture of apathy that has pushed to the staff and ultimately affecting overall school success.

[Anonymous]

How is it poorly run though? What are you looking for the administration to do that is done at the other schools you think are great. The teachers post grades on time and grade homework. I hear complaints all over the county on this and it's not a problem at Kilmer that I've heard of. There are a lot of enrichment classes, some of which aren't taught at other schools. Are we talking about general ed or AAP or something else? The school cohort is diverse but still relatively wealthy and academically minded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is it poorly run though? What are you looking for the administration to do that is done at the other schools you think are great. The teachers post grades on time and grade homework. I hear complaints all over the county on this and it's not a problem at Kilmer that I've heard of. There are a lot of enrichment classes, some of which aren't taught at other schools. Are we talking about general ed or AAP or something else? The school cohort is diverse but still relatively wealthy and academically minded.

Thank you, PP. that’s the impression I got of the school during based on the neighborhood it’s in. Very nice single family homes/ townhomes

[Anonymous]

My neighbor has three kids at Kilmer - they seem to love it.

[Anonymous]

As a general matter, kids don't love middle school. Adults with other motivations are more likely to say they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a general matter, kids don't love middle school. Adults with other motivations are more likely to say they do.

This. Kids in middle school are at an awkward age. And there is usually no school spirit.


In/near Vienna, they refer to Killme, Throwup, and Loser Jackson.

High schools have some spirit. In ES, the spirit comes from the PTA/parents.

[Anonymous]

I love how the Chantilly schools are completely ignored. Apparently, nobody is paying attention to the Virginia Governor's award for Excellence that was given to Franklin Middle and Rocky Run. That should be the measure of which schools are maintaining high academic standards

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how the Chantilly schools are completely ignored. Apparently, nobody is paying attention to the Virginia Governor's award for Excellence that was given to Franklin Middle and Rocky Run. That should be the measure of which schools are maintaining high academic standards

I just think that more of DCUM lives closer to DC than Chantilly- so there are not as many posters that can post with experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how the Chantilly schools are completely ignored. Apparently, nobody is paying attention to the Virginia Governor's award for Excellence that was given to Franklin Middle and Rocky Run. That should be the measure of which schools are maintaining high academic standards

I agree. Chantilly has some of the best schools in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how the Chantilly schools are completely ignored. Apparently, nobody is paying attention to the Virginia Governor's award for Excellence that was given to Franklin Middle and Rocky Run. That should be the measure of which schools are maintaining high academic standards

Cooper and Longfellow received that award as well.